Investigation reveals black market in China for research paper authoring

(Phys.org) —The journal Science has uncovered, via investigation, a thriving black market in science paper authoring—people are paying to have their names added to papers that have been written to describe research efforts. Mara Hvistendahl was the lead investigator and author of a paper published by Science, describing the operation and what was found.

There have been reports of unscrupulous journals printing research papers without proper vetting, and other reports suggesting that there exists a black market in paper authorship. This new investigation by Science, is the first to publish direct evidence of such a black market operating in China. Hvistendahl reports on one instance where a suspected black-marketeer was contacted to inquire about having a name applied to an existing research paper. The contact quoted different prices for having a name included, depending on whether the person paying wished to be listed as the primary writer, or as merely a co-author, or even as just one of the team members. No money changed hands, as that would have been unethical for a Science reporter, but Hvistendahl reports that the paper that had been part of the earlier investigation showed up at a later date published in a reputable journal, along with different names attributed to the research effort—names of people that had all bought their way on.

Hvistendahl notes that such a black market has arisen in China due to the enormous pressure Chinese researchers are feeling to publish something. In that country, it appears having one's name attached to a research paper, matters more than actually conducting research. Hvistendahl also reports that people in China are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars for the "honor" of having their name printed as an author on a research paper.

Hvistendahl writes that Science's undercover investigation revealed a thriving black market in China for paper authorization, which includes "shady agencies, corrupt scientists, and compromised editors." The undercover operation was conducted over a five month period and resulted in numerous examples of people at all levels of research in China participating in the black market in one way or another. They also found that it was possible to pay for someone to write a paper, attach a name and then submit and have it published in a reputable international journal—so long as the research it described passed a traditional vetting process.

The investigative team also found doctors and others engaged in medical research that were willing to openly admit that the black market for research papers is thriving in China. All in all, the investigative team contacted 27 agencies involved in helping researchers get their work published—only five of them refused an offer to pay for adding a name to a research paper.

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4 comments

Shocking, but not really surprising. Misconduct in research and science is nothing new, especially in peer-review. However, that such misconduct takes on a more global scale now is worrying. I am glad that "Science" takes a stand on that. Maybe, just maybe, other journals will follow in publicly pointing out problems, because only this way solutions can be found.

"In that country, it appears having one's name attached to a research paper, matters more than actually conducting research." Well, of course! You get tenure for published research, not for unpublished results. I realize I'm very cynical, but I'm sure there are lots of assistant professors who would gladly pay to have their names added to a journal article.

Years ago a writer for a woodworking magazine of note visited a Chinese factory that produced table saws. Many companies here in the US sold the same saw, under different names and painted differently. Quality varied greatly.

The American writer marveled at the difference in quality the same factory allowed for the same design. Some saws had wobbly arbors; others ran true. Some cast iron tops were dead flat; others were warped.

The writer noted that in the US, quality was closely associated with the brand name, and that to keep the name pristine, quality had to be excellent across all products with that brand.

He was informed that it was different in China. A customer presented with a dozen saws in a store had to find the good one in the bunch, not rely on the name.

It's a cultural difference -- the same reason melamine could be substituted for protein in baby formula and pet food to pass a nutrition test.

Lying is okay if it advances your agenda or fortune. Sound familiar?

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